True Sacrifice

Hey, Guys and Girls. Here are some verses (Isaiah 58:3, 6-9) that speak to me daily. In these verses, Israel complains to God that He has not acknowledged their day of fasting, or sacrifice. Then God responds and tells them what kind of sacrifice He truly wants. I believe God asks the same things of our lives today. So, read and be inspired.

The "they" is Israel and the "I" is God...

"We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I (the Lord) respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves...Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like?

This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts.

What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'"